Bored in my current job

the_clacker

Currently working part time in an IT support role, however I am finding it very tedious. I would like to move on to something different. This is my first job since I left college but I don't think I like this type of work.

I was hoping to get involved in java programming, however I do not think I have the brains for it. I learned the basics in college but that's about it. All the programming jobs seem to require a lot of experience, but I have very minimal. One of the reasons I would like to do this type of work is because it is well paid.

Does anyone know of other types of work in IT that pay really well? Does anyone have any advice on this matter?

Thanks

sebcity

You should learn R and SQL, get into Analytics or something similar. It's an expanding area at the moment with more and more companies looking for data analysts etc. The pay is good in my opinion. The only thing would be the experience you need to get into a decent role. So maybe, learn the languages for a while, look around for a junior role. Stick at that for a year and you should be able to apply for more senior role.

I find this area way more interesting than Java/Software Engineering but that's just me.

Both SQL and R are quite easy to learn syntax wise, it's just down to logic after that. Here's a great R tutorial for example.

http://tryr.codeschool.com/levels/1/challenges/1

fret_wimp2

A few points:

the_clacker wrote: »

I was hoping to get involved in java programming, however I do not think I have the brains for it.
Thanks

Yep, you do. I havnt met you, but im still sure you do. Anyone who puts in the time and effort can program, in any language. You may not have the interest for it, but you do have the smartz.

the_clacker wrote: »

I learned the basics in college but that's about it. All the programming jobs seem to require a lot of experience, but I have very minimal. One of the reasons I would like to do this type of work is because it is well paid.
Thanks

You currently work in a support role. Your best bet is to develop the skills you are currently using in your support role. By doing this you can then say, without lying on your CV "I have X Years experience working with Technology Y". If you are using SQL for example, try to become a better SQL developer, learn about performance tuning and writing performant queries. Learn how to do some of the trickier stuff like recurisve CTE's, pivoting etc. Know joins and the basics like the back of your hand.

If on the otherhand you spend time becomming good in a technology or field that doesnt really relate to your current role, you will gain new skills for sure, but at best in an interview/on your cv all you can say is "I have an interest and have studied technology X but i have no real world experience yet".

its the difference in going into an interview as an experienced candidate vs one who knows some stuff but never used it in anger. Experience ALWAYS wins out.

the_clacker wrote: »

Does anyone know of other types of work in IT that pay really well?

Its been said to death on the internet but dont follow the money. You could probably work up to a support manager role in a financial company, ensuring 24/7/365 availability, and would get good money, but the stress is massive.
Always on call, anything goes wrong youre the blame point. Thats just an example, but theory applies to any role, dev, dba, chef etc etc.

If you love that area/field/job then sure, it wont seem so bad but if you just get into it for the cash, you will end up burning out. Happens all the time in IT.

Ignoring that for a second and discussing what fields in IT pay well, they pretty much all do, if you have enough experience, are highly skilled in your field, make some savvy choices when picking a role & are not too fussy about location.

e.g. grad developer, i assume now gets somewhere between 20 & 35k. A developer with 10+ years experience, examples of enterprise projects they have pulled over the line, kept their skills up to date, confident and gets in the right company can pull over 100k in Ireland.
Google some of the 2014 & 2015 salary surveys and have a look at the guideline salaries and rates to give you a better high level idea.

the_clacker

thanks sebcity appreciate the advice. I remember doing some R programming a few years ago but I'm not sure if I knew what was going on at the time. It might be good to take another look at it though. Will have a go at that tutorials you posted. Thanks

thanks fret_wimp2. That's good to know. Maybe I just need to start buckling down and sticking with video tutorials and exercises etc. I'm not even sure if I want to stay in IT support type role. I do like programming, but I think I'm just a little rusty at the minute and I'm finding it hard to get back into learning it again.

I agree with you when you say not to follow money. I think because a lot of my college friends are in well payed jobs, I'm dying to jump on the band wagon.

Thanks for the tips guys